Gender- and age-related differences in misuse of face masks in COVID-19 prevention in central European cities
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Abstract
Objective
Correct use of face masks is required for their efficacy in preventing possible droplet infections with SARS-CoV-2. We tried to provide information about differences in the distribution of gender and age groups wearing face masks incorrectly.
Design
Pilot field study
Methods
Visual observation of mask use in public, not age- and gender-related places in central European large cities regarding incorrect mask-wearing (n=523); statistical analysis (nominal scale) in terms of gender and estimated age group using the total numbers, binomial test and chi-square test.
Results
There is no significant difference (binomial test: p-value = 0.43) in mask misuse between the genders (female: 271 (51.8%), male: 252 (48.2%) and 0 non-binary individuals (0%)). There is a significant difference (chi-square test: p-value < 2.2e-16) in age group distribution (170 young 10-29 years (32.5%), 261 middle-aged 30-59 years (49.9%), 92 older adults ≥ 60 years (17.6%)). In total numbers, the highest counts were observed in middle-aged persons with 261 counts (49.9%).
Conclusion
Our study shows an uneven age-distribution of people wearing the face mask in public improperly.
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SciScore for 10.1101/2020.11.11.20224030: (What is this?)
Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.
Table 1: Rigor
Institutional Review Board Statement IRB: Therefore, the University of Regensburg ethics committee saw a board review of our study as not obligatory. Randomization not detected. Blinding not detected. Power Analysis not detected. Sex as a biological variable These observations were conducted by a team of one female and one male researcher and took place in public places and transportation (buses, streetcars, subways, trains, stations, shopping malls, bakeries and supermarkets). Table 2: Resources
No key resources detected.
Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).
Results from LimitationRec…SciScore for 10.1101/2020.11.11.20224030: (What is this?)
Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.
Table 1: Rigor
Institutional Review Board Statement IRB: Therefore, the University of Regensburg ethics committee saw a board review of our study as not obligatory. Randomization not detected. Blinding not detected. Power Analysis not detected. Sex as a biological variable These observations were conducted by a team of one female and one male researcher and took place in public places and transportation (buses, streetcars, subways, trains, stations, shopping malls, bakeries and supermarkets). Table 2: Resources
No key resources detected.
Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).
Results from LimitationRecognizer: We detected the following sentences addressing limitations in the study:Also, some limitations must be noted. One is the time window of our observations in terms of the whole timespan. There may be an effect of in- or decrease of mask misuse over time in the assessed places, influenced by the current climate of public opinion or the continuously updated state of knowledge. Another limitation lies within the location of our observations. These were taken mainly in centrally located malls, shops, supermarkets and stations of large cities as described in methods. Rural areas, senior homes, universities, and suburban regions are not included in our study. Further and more widespread investigation can contribute to exploring the topic of mask misuse in these areas.
Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.
Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.
Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.
Results from rtransparent:- Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
- Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
- No protocol registration statement was detected.
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